William guy collins



(No Model.) 3 v W. G. COLLINS. AUTOMATIC ELECTED PNEUMATIC TUBE SYSTEM.

No. 460,081, Patented Sept. 22, 1891. v

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UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

IVILLIAH GUY COLLINS, OF NEIV YORK, N. Y., ASSIGNOR, BY DIRECT AND MESNEASSIGNMENTS, TO MAGGIE U. COLLINS AND HUGO .I. \VEBER, BOTH OF SAMEPLACE.

AUTOMATIC ELECTRO-PN EU MATIC- TUBE SYSTEM.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent N 0. 460,081, datedSeptember 22, 1891.

Application filed November '7, 1889. Serial No. 329,592. (No model.)

To all whom, it may concern: behind the carrier. At any desired pointsinBe it known that I, l/VILLIAM GUY COLLINS, the length of the main tubebranch tubes II a citizen of the United States, residing at New areconnected. At the angles formed by the York, in the county of New Yorkand State junction of the main and branch tubes of New York, haveinvented certain new and switches G are pivoted. The switch preferusefulImprovements in Electro-Pneumaticably employed consists of a platehaving in Tube Systems, of which the following is a it an ellipticalopening, as indicated in Fig. specification, reference being had thereinto 7, a pivot F, and an extension E, which serves the accompanyingdrawings. as an armature for the magnet D. At the IQ My inventionrelates to systems in which pointb on this extensionaspring K issecured, 6o carriers for parcels, change, &c., are sent which springnormally holds the switch in its through suitable tubes by pneumaticpressfull-line position, the upper end resting in a ure or suction, andin which the carriers are recess. The surface of the switch towarddiverted from the main tube to branch tubes the left in the arrangementillustrated is r 5 by proper switches. straight, forming a continuationof the wall The object of my invention is to provide a of the main tube,so that in the normal posisystem which is largely automatic and whichtion of the switch a carrier may pass directly 1s simple and eflicientin construction and through the main tube. The opposite side operation.of the switch is preferably inclined, as shown 20 The invention consistsin the automatic in Figs.1and8. In order to provide space for carriersystem, in the carrier, in the circuitthe carrier to pass from the mainto a branch controller, in the switches, and in certain tube, theelliptical opening before referred to other features hereinafter setforth and is provided. As a carrier B approaches a ed. switch occupyingits dotted position, Fig. I,

25 In the accompanying drawings, which illusin which position it restsin a recess y, it trate my invention, Figure l is a view, partly strikesthe inclined side of said switch, and in section, of a main tube and twobranch the rounded end of the carrier strikes the tubes with several ofmy improvements conedge of the elliptical opening and is graduallynected therewith. Fig. 2 is a side View of the turned from the main tothe branch tube.

30 device which I use in introducing a carrier The end of the carrier inturning first prointo the tube. Fig. 3 is a plan view of the jectsslightly through the elliptical opening same device. Fig. 4 is a sideView of my carand then is withdrawn therefrom, owing to rier. Fig. 5shows a detail of my circuit-conthe shape of the carrier and opening, aswill troller. Fig. 6 is a central section of a part be evident. Theminor axis of the opening 35 of the circuit-controller. Figs. 7 and 8are should be less than the diameter of the carside and top views,respectively, of the switch. rier to prevent the latter passing throughthe Fig. 9 is asection on line o o of Fig. 1. Fig. opening. Theconstruction of the switch just 9 is a View of the receiver, the sectionbeing described also allows free circulation of air at right angles tothat of Fig. 9. Fig. 10 is a through both the main and branch pipes 40View showing means for securing the cover, without regard to theposition of the switch.

- which is illustrated in Figs. 11 and 12, on the The carrier consistsof a cylindrical box B, carrier. having around it metal bands 0 c, whichare A is a main tube through which a current connected together by aconductor r. Each of air is passed byany suitable means. Since carrieris provided with such bands; but the 5 this means does not constitute apart of the distance between said bands on any carrier 5 presentinvention, it is not illustrated in the differs from the distancebetween the bands drawings. It may be stated, however, that I on anyother carrier. prefer to propel the carrier by partially eX- In the headof the carrier is a groove 13. hausting the air in advance of thecarrier and T is a groove at right angles to groove 19 and 50 at thesame time blowing air into the tube of equal depth therewith. U is acover for Ice the carrier. On the cover is a cross-spring k, the lengthof which is nearly equal to the diameter of the groove 1). This springis secured at the center by screws or rivets n n and has two knobs m m.To put the cover in place, the spring is is brought into line with thegroove T, the cover is forced into place, the ends of spring in arebrought into line with the groove p by pressure on the knobs m, and thecover is then turned, whereby it is locked in place.

The magnets D, of which there are as many as there are switches, are innormally-open electric circuits. One such circuit is shown in Fig. 1,and two batteries are shown connected to said circuit, although it willbe evident that one would answer every purpose. When two batteries areused, they should be placed with their poles in the same direction,

so that when the circuit is closed they will not oppose each other. Thecircuit is connected to two terminals 0 O, which project slightly intothe main tube between the point where the carrier is inserted and thebranch into which the carrier is to be diverted. Around the rod orterminal C is a spring g, pressing on the head of the rod within thesleeve f. The distance between the rods 0 (J differs from the distancebetween the corresponding rods to 'w of any other switch for a purposehereinafter described.

a a is a device which I call a sender, and is for the purpose ofintroducing the carrier into the main tube without allowing escape ofair. This sender consists of a body having two chambers d d of propersize and shape to receive the carrier. One of said chambers is normallyin line with the main tube to preserve its continuity and the other isout of line with the tube. This body is mounted in a suitable support.(Shown in Fig. 3.) Said support has a groove 6, into which acorresponding tongue or projection on the body a fits, and in which itcan slide. In one side of each branch tube adjacent to the switch-magnetis placed a spring I, which is connected with a pivoted pawl J. Thispawl is provided at its outer end with a hook adapted to engage thearmature E when the latter is in its dotted position. L is a similarspring in one side of the tube connected by means of a rod P to avalve-rod M of Valve N in pipe 0, one end of which pipe is connected tothe branch tube at the leftof the spring and the other end of which iscon, nected to the carrier-receiver T. At the end of the branch tube aportion is cut away on the lower side, as shown in Fig. 9, and a plate 0is placed over the end of the branch tube. The receiver, which ispreferably of the form shown in Figs. 9 and 9, is supported by atongue-and-groove device h, so that it can slide on the branch H. f is ahandle for moving the receiver, and Z is an extension at the top of thereceiver, extending a short distance over the tube H.

The operation of the system may briefly be set forth as follows: Acarrier is inserted into the ch amber of the sender which is out of linewith the main tube A. The sender is then slid along until the carrier isbrought in line with the tube, when it is forced along through the tubeand in its passage will reach a point where its two bands cc willsimultaneously make contact with two terminals of one of theswitch-circuits, as illustrated in Fig.1. This closes the circuit of aswitchmagnet and draws the switch into the position shown 1n dottedlines, in which position theswitch 1s held by the pawl J until thecarrier in its passage strikes spring I, moving it and the pawl withwhich it is connected, thus disengaging the detent. As the carrierpasses still farther it strikes spring L, opening the valve in pipe 0and allowing air to pass from the rear of the carrier to the receiver inadvance of the carrier, thereby forming an air-cushion. The carrierfalls through the opening in the bottom of the tube H into the receiver.The receiver is then moved longitudinally until the shoulder N strikesthe end plate 0. This closes the opening and prevents the escape of air.ceiver. The dotted lines ij in Fig. 1 indicate the distance throughwhich the receiver is moved in order to take out the carrier.

If the carrier V, instead of 13, had been put into the tube, it wouldnot have closed the circuit of the first branch, but would have passedto the second circuit-controller and would have there closed a circuitleading to the second switch-magnet, since the distance between 0 c onthis carrier is equal to the distance between the rods w w.

From what has been described it will be seen that when any carrier isplaced in the tube it automatically selects and passes into the properbranch tube, owing t the fact that each carrier has what may be termedan individual-cireuit controller-that is, a controller adapted to closeor change the circuit which operates the switch of its own branch tube,but no other.

Having thus described the invention, what I claim is 1. The combination,in an electro pneumatic tube or carrier system, of a main and branchtubes, carriers adapted to pass through said tubes, and magnets incircuits automatically controlled bythe carriers to divert each carrierto its own branch tube, substantially as described.

2. The combination, in an electro pneumatic tube system, of a main andloranch tubes, switches controlling the passages between the main andbranch tubes, magnets for operating the switches, electric circuits,including the magnets, and individualcircuit controllers for the severalcircuits, each operated by its own carrier passing through the tube andby no other carrier, substantially as described.

3. The combination, in an electro-pneumatic-tube system,of main andbranch tubes,

The carrier is then removed from the re-' substantially as described.

5. The combination, in an electro-pneumatic tube system, of a tube,rods,or similar devices extending into the tube at a predetermineddistance apart, and a carrieradapted to move in the tube and tosimultaneously touch said rods to control a circuit, substantially asdescribed.

6. The combination, in an electro.-pneumatic-tube system, of. a main andbranch tubes, rods or similar devices extending into the main tube at apredetermined distance apart, a carrier adapted to move in the tubes andto simultaneously touch said rods to control a circuit, and aswitch-magnet in said circuit, substantially as described.

7. The combination, in an electro -pneumatic-tube system, of twospring-pressed rods extending into the tube, a carrier adapted to movein the tube, and bands or projections on said carrier at a distanceapart equal to the distance between the rods and adapted to make contactsimultaneously with said rods, substantially as described.

8. The combination, in an electropneumatictube system, of a main andbranch tubes and a switch having an opening through it pivoted at theangle between-said tubes, substantially as described.

The combination, in an electro-pneu matic-tube system, of a main andbranch tubes, a switch having an opening of an elliptical shape throughit and controlling the passage between said tubes, substantially asdescribed.

10. A switch for controlling passage between a main and branch tubes,consisting of a pivoted plate having a rounded or ell1pt1- cal opening,substantially as described.

11. A switch controlling the passage between a main and branch tubes,consisting of a pivoted plate having a rounded or elliptical opening,and an extension forming an armature, substantially as described.

12. A switch for controlling the passage between a main and branchtubes, consisting of a pivoted plate having a rounded or ell1pt1- calopening, and a spring for holding the switch in its normal position,substantially as described.

13. 'The combination of a main and branch tubes, a switch normallyclosing one of sa d tubes, a magnet for moving said switch, a 011'- cuitfor the magnet rendered operative by a circuit-controller on a carriermoving through said tube, and a pawl for holding the switch in itsattracted position, substantially as described.

14. The combination of a main and branch tubes, a switch normallyclosing one of said tubes, a magnet for moving said switch, a circuitfor the magnet automatically controlled by a carrier,'a pawl for holdingthe switch in its attracted position, and means operated by the carrierfor releasing the switch, substantially as described.

15. The combination, in a pneumatic-tube system in which carriers arepassed through suitable tubes, of a tube having a segment cut away fromits lower side to allow a carrier to drop out of the tube, and aslidingreceiver over the end of the tube, into which the carrier falls,substantially as described.

16. The combination, in a pneumatic-tube system in which carriers arepassed through suitable tubes, of a tube having a segment cut away fromits lower side to allow a carrier to drop out of the tube, an end platefor .the tube, and a sliding receiver over the end of the tube, intowhich the carrier falls, said receiver having a shoulder adapted to bearagainst the end plate to close the tube, substantially as described.

W. GUY COLLINS. Witnesses:

MAGGIE U. OoLLINs, M. A. MARTIN.

